About the job Job summary Here at Larkhill, we are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspace will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuing you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week) The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. Please note - job share can only be offered if full time can be covered. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job description You will be the first point of contact for staff including trainees and under 18's who may be suffering from mental health, wellbeing or struggling with any other issues that may affect their performance and ability to deliver. You will lead the welfare team and you will be an integral part of the Schools Unit Health Committee forum discussing sensitive and medical in confidence issues. You will bring a positive approach to wider site initiatives, including families days, military children events and community/charity events promoting collaborative working and networks enforcing the positive relationships we have with internal and external partners. The responsibilities of this post will include, but not limited to, the following: Providing primary welfare support and advice to all the units officers, soldiers, and their dependants. When required brief the Commanding Officer (CO) and the Unit Chain of Command (CoC) on specific welfare cases, liaise with military and civilian welfare agencies on behalf of the CO and represent the Bn at Garrison / Brigade / Divisional welfare meetings. Remain current in welfare policies and procedure and manage concise case files adhering to extant data protection policies. They will also be expected to assist in drafting and co-ordination of the COs welfare policy. Conduct all work within the Code of Confidentiality. Advise the CoC in its dealings with individual and or general welfare issues in accordance with current policy. Working collaboratively with the military UWO to enhance military operational effectiveness. Represent the welfare team at Unit Health Committee (UHC) meetings and COs Orders Group in the absence of the military UWO and undertake mandatory and skill gap training when required. Act as the COs representative for welfare support, providing a focal point for all ranks, as well as the interface for dependants. Act as a conduit on welfare matters and concerns between families and CoC in accordance with the code of confidentiality. Establish and maintain links with external welfare support agencies and social services, child services and other agencies on behalf of the Bn. Carry out of hours duty cover from home via a mobile on a rota basis. This duty will be paid in line with current CS expenses. Line management duties of two Civil Servants 1 EO and 1AO. Mandatory courses will be the UWO Pt 1&2 courses, Mental Fitness Certificate, Safeguarding and Domestic Violence awareness. Sound IT Skills and with numerical and literacy skills. Ability to work on own initiative and with minimal direction. Person specification Essential : Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence approachable, tactful, empathetic, diplomatic and non-judgemental. High level of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and ability to make a difference to peoples lives. Remains calm whilst under pressure. Understand boundaries and confidentiality Competent in the use of Microsoft IT applications. Hold a valid UK Driving License. Desirable Has the ability to manage competing priorities. Enjoys working in an ever-changing environment and relish the challenge to respond quickly to emerging issues. Highly motivated and strong organisational skills. Previous welfare provision experience (Military or Civilian). Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Working Together Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Leadership Working Together Benefits Alongside your salary of 36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes 10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. At sift, you will be assessed against yourStatement of suitability and the following: Behaviours Leadership Working Together Experience Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 Word count) When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected. At interview, you will be assessed against the following: Behaviours Leadership Working Together Making Effective decisions Communicating and Influencing The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Jacqueline Harvard Email : jacqueline.harvard126mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: infocsc.gov.uk.